Ironically, the education system fails to emphasize the importance of knowledge, leaving Milo to conclude “the process of seeking knowledge as the most great waste of everyone's time” (9) . This appears to be Juster's greatest criticism of society, and is the driving force of the story as Milo's quest is to unite the "Kingdom of Wisdom". To do so he must uncover the inconsistencies within Dictionopolis and Digitopolis, cross the "Land of Ignorance", and bring Rhyme and Reason back to the Realm. The fact that a child is able to do this shows that Juster is challenging the idea that age comes with wisdom. In this world words are used to overturn things and silence. This is further demonstrated in Milo's interactions with the adults in this story. When Milo meets Agent Shrift in Dictionopolis, Milo sees that he is making up the rules as he goes along (similar to what Alice experiences in Wonderland during the trial). And like the Queen of Hearts in Alice's Adventures, she quickly decides that everyone is guilty. Turning everything Milo says on its head and in every way Milo attempts to outwit him, Office Shrift changes the rules (hilariously enough), thus using his words as a way to exert his power allowing him to berate and silence those that go against him. Because when Milo tries to outsmart the police officer by stating that "only a judge can sentence you" (62), Officer Shrift turns the tables by stating "Good point, ... I'm the judge too" (62 ) or when Milo says that "Only a jailer can put you in prison," (63) to which Officer Shrift retorts "I'm the jailer too" (63). Perhaps this is Juster's way of criticizing the justice system. It is because of this lack of reason that the need for Rhyme and Reason to return to the Kingdom emerges – to restore balance once again. King Azaz also works to show the ways in which adults try to exert power over children during the royal banquet.